PCPs Polled on Satisfaction with Radiology Reporting

Results of a recent study found that the overwhelming majority of primary care physicians surveyed preferred to deliver results of radiology examinations themselves, and also felt medico-legally obligated by recommendations within radiology reports.

“There is considerable interest in improving reporting practices. However, it is wise to obtain an understanding of the needs and opinions of referring physicians, particularly primary care physicians, regarding these measures so that their feedback and ideas can be incorporated into any change in practice,” Andrew J. Gunn, MD, author of the study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, said in a press release.

These conclusions were drawn from an online survey that was distributed to 229 primary care physicians; 100 responses were received. Ninety-five percent of respondents indicated that the ordering physician should deliver the results of the examinations, and no respondents thought that radiologists should deliver results. The findings are of particular interest as patients have increasingly wide access to test results of all kinds through Web sites and online portals.

Read the abstract of the study here.